Custom toy chest part III--final detailing

If you have read, and hopefully enjoyed, our previous posts then you are now aware of the process used to create this incredible toy chest but you may be asking yourself how it gets that glow?  Here is a synopsis of the final detailing process we used.

• Before the entire piece is finished, details need to be applied to the raised carved animals. Some animals were lucky enough to receive a coating of gilt including the owl, deer, rabbit and geese who were decked out in white gold.  This is a multi-step process that begins with the application of a modern jesso called casein (made from milk solids) in successive layers to fill in the open grain of the wood.  Next Martin applied a gold size called Wondersize over the smooth casein and very carefully laid the paper thin white gold on top.  Once dry the excess gold was brushed off and the gold received a coat of lacquer to seal it into place.  It was now time for all the animals to receive a paint job to bring out the individual details of wings, feet, fur etc.  This was accomplished through the use of a glaze made of pigment, oil and alcohol.
• It is now time for the entire chest to be finished with a penetrating oil that brought out both the rich grain and red amber color of the wood. We then lacquered the piece with a commercial lacquer for shine and protection.  Unlike woods like walnut and oak that lighten with ultra violet exposure, this cherry chest will turn a rich mahogany color as it is exposed to the oxidation of ultra violet light over time.
• Final details like those whimsical and "Disneyesque" mushroom feet and the swallow pull add the final magical touches.  The pull was cast in blue jeweler's wax that allows Martin to create details like the wing and tail feathers.  You can learn more about this casting process by reading this post.

• 

  

The end result of all of this is a toy chest that is an heirloom in waiting and while our client is not royalty, is certainly fit for a royal baby, wouldn't you agree?

Please visit us at www.martinpierce.com to view our entire collection of bespoke hardware and furniture.

Custom toy chest--part II

In our last post we shared the initial process of creating such a detailed piece as this toy chest.  You were able to see how Martin scales up his drawings on a simple piece of grid paper and how the end result compares to the original drawing.  But how does this:

become this?

This toy chest is crafted of cherry wood as it has a vibrant and lovely red character and is an excellent carving wood.  The dancing animals are carved directly into the wood with a variety of chisels, a labor intensive process to be sure.

With this drawing the design is outlined onto the wood and the correct chisel is chosen to begin the carving process. For example, a curved chisel for the back of the bear and a flat, straight chisel for the legs of the geese.  You "set" the chisel and hit the top of it with a heavy mallet that results in a clear cut into the wood where you can begin the carving process.  The “raised” animals are then carved with a variety of chisels to give them fur, muscles, and wings.   Some of the animals were covered with casein plastic so they could be gilded while others were left in natural cherry tones.  You can clearly spot the animals in the drawing in the finished product shown above.

The work involved in creating this amazing toy chest is what sparked Martin's interest in painting.  While he has not painted much lately,  he does like to create fantasy scenes involving very large beetles and wasps.  Until he begins painting more, I guess we are stuck enjoying his insect designs  in our Animal collection of custom hardware.

To view our entire collection of bespoke furniture and hardware designs, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com

also show swallow pull

Childhood fantasies come alive on this custom wooden toy chest-Part I

As you may already know, Martin Pierce Hardware designs and produces not only beautiful and functional hardware but also manufactures bespoke furniture pieces that, in my humble opinion, are true works of art.  Take for example this toy chest that we designed for a very special client:

Just as it does with our hardware pieces, the design of this toy chest began with a set of very detailed drawings that Martin created.  It was necessary for him to create a scene for each side with different dancing animals as well as other whimsical touches like those incredible mushroom feet and the swallow pull on top.  Delightful!

This first photo shows how Martin uses a simple grid to scale up the animals to full size for proper proportion on the chest panels as well as scaling up the mushroom feet.

In this photo you can see the finished product.

Martin's inspiration was most likely memories of his childhood playing in the Perrywood area of Worcester that, while small, seemed to us as children to be quite a mysterious and magical place.

In our next post we will explain the choice of woods and the carving process.  And if you would like to view our entire custom furniture and hardware collection please visit us at www.martinpierce.com.

Musical instruments as artwork for interior design projects

While many of us immediately think of a beautiful watercolor painting or a wonderful bronze sculpture when we hear the term "artwork", experts might agree that the beauty of art really is in the eye of the beholder.  Take, for example, the beauty of musical instruments - -wood frames of violins and cellos rubbed to a glossy shine, brass that sparkles like jewels and the gorgeous linear shapes of the woodwinds could certainly be considered artwork and displayed as such. In the following rooms precious musical instruments are proudly displayed as functional artwork that provide a touch of life to the spaces and most would agree is as beautiful as any oil portrait.

A grand piano always makes a welcoming statement in a residential foyer or the lobby of a boutique hotel or chic shopping complex.  Notice the more traditional piece of artwork that mimics the design of the piano. [houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/333310/Elegant-Stairs-traditional-staircase-minneapolis]

A cello in the corner quietly balances out the large painting on the other side of the doorway in this setting.

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The graphic appeal of a grouping of woodwinds lends itself to this contemporary design.

[houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/1183868/Summerlin-Home-traditional-living-room-las-vegas]

While classical instruments are beautiful and sophisticated, don't overlook a colorful collection of electric guitars or the power of a set of drums or the simplicity of a grouping of native instruments from around the world.

And in our own home, where music is a must, Iris  enjoys relaxing by the piano in the den that doubles as our music room.

To view our collection of custom architectural hardware or speak directly with us regarding products for your own hospitality, commercial or residential project, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

The California grape harvest is early this year

Global warming has come to Central California and forced an earlier than usual grape harvest in wine growing regions that include Napa, Paso Robles and Santa Barbara.  Let's hope this is good  news for those of us who enjoy an occasional glass of cab, chardonnay, zinfandel or syrah.  

While the winemakers are busy harvesting all those beautiful vines we thought we might introduce a couple of our custom architectural hardware collections that we feel would be the perfect addition to their tasting areas, guest rooms and other public spaces.

Our Grapevine collection was inspired by the beautiful Paso Robles wine region and is a natural for use in wineries.  The hallmark of Martin Pierce Custom Hardware, incredible detail, is evident in all of the pieces and this attention to detail will delight all who enter your establishment.

Our willow collection would also be a nice design addition to both your public and private spaces.  While simpler in design than our more elaborate Grapevine collection, the same amazing detail and casting process is used to create this elegant hardware collection.

Drawer pull from Willow 2 collection by Martin Pierce Custom Hardware

To view these items or our entire collection of architectural hardware, please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.  Also, be sure to check your favorite winery's website to find out when the annual harvest celebrations are scheduled.

Just for fun:  Here is to the corkscrew - a useful key to unlock the storehouse of wit,the treasury of laughter, the front door of fellowship, and the gate of pleasant folly.       W.E.P. French

How Martin Pierce spends the final days of summer

Our beloved pitbull, Iris, certainly has the right idea!  Since Iris joined our family a few years ago she has become a very loving and affectionate dog and enjoys sharing tea in the music room with our guests and friends.  Lounging lazily in the den and soaking up the sun sounds inviting to me as well.

As the lazy days of summer begin to disappear we are busy working on several new projects that we look forward to sharing with you in the coming months.  In the meantime, here is a quick review of some of our custom hardware products that will remind you that fall is just around the corner.

How do you enjoy these last remaining days of summer?

To view our entire collection of custom architectural hardware please visit us at www.martinpierce.com

Hospitality design trend: View beautiful collections in hotel lobbies

Thousand of visitors enter hotels each year via the lobby and spend time meeting and greeting friends and business associates, sharing a cocktail or simply enjoying the ambience of a beautifully decorated lobby. As any professional hospitality designer will tell you, when decorating the lobby, or any   space in a hotel both public and private, it is important to find the perfect blend of comfort and function while still celebrating the specific hotel's brand.  This is often accomplished through the use of space planning, fabrics and colors and the addition of something unique that will hopefully make their guest's experience memorable.  Some hotels are doing this with the introduction and display of wonderful collections throughout the lobbies and on-site restaurants.

A true history lesson can be found at the Hotel Auberge Saint Antoine in Quebec City Quebec Canada where literally hundreds of found artifacts are on display throughout the public spaces.

Japanese sushi restaurant, Pabu, in Baltimore Maryland features a magnificent collection of raku pottery that lines the walls and acts as both a room divider and an art display. While it is a large collection the subtle coloring of the pottery allows for a relaxed dining experience.

Some hotels choose to change their collections to celebrate the seasons, acknowledge an anniversary or honor the history of the hotel.  The famous Willard Intercontinental Hotel, located right next door to the White House in Washington D.C. has found a way to celebrate their famous neighbor by offering a beautiful display of historic Christmas ornaments that have been used throughout the years on the White House tree.  You can view the informative video and see these beautiful ornaments by clicking this link.

Never one to do things on a normal scale, the world's tallest hotel located in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates has a lobby atrium that features an amazing collection of water displays that are sure to delight all who enter the lobby.  And while in the United Arab Emirates, take a little side trip to visit our hardware, proudly on display at the Porta Showroom in Riyadh City Saudi Arabia.

To view our entire collection of custom architectural hardware, visit our site at www.martinpierce.com

And the winner of our bronze drawer pull is......

In celebration of our 100th blog post we offered the first person who "liked" our new business Facebook page one of our beautiful swallow drawer pulls.  We have a lucky winner and her bird pull is flying her way now via the U.S. mail. Cast in bronze, this pull is a beautiful representation of the little birds that appear at the same time every year in San Juan Capistrano California to build their unique mud nests in the tile roofs of the local mission.  Once their job is complete they leave the area just as quickly as they arrived. Mother Nature really does create amazing creatures!

Martin is always inspired by nature and enjoys creating these beautiful pieces of miniature art that can double as functional hardware.  Our custom entryway sets modeled after some of those critters will create a memorable first impression while our unique door and drawer pulls, hinges and other architectural hardware pieces cast in the form of many familiar bugs, reptiles and things with wings found in our Animal collection will add that all important final detail that sets any home or business apart from its neighbors and competitors.

To see our entire collection of custom hardware or to discuss your special hospitality or residential project, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com.

Our 100th post and we are in the mood to celebrate!

Time to celebrate for this is our 100th post!  We have enjoyed sharing new products, design ideas and trade information to all of our followers and look forward to the next 100! As our way of saying thanks we would like to offer one of our swallow pulls to the next person who "likes" our new business facebook page on July 31st.

If you are from southern California then you are very familiar with these little birds.  They return to the mission at San Juan Capistrano every spring to build their unique mud nests in the openings found in the spanish tile roof of the mission.  They hatch their babies, teach them to fly and then depart the area in October, only to return again the next year and begin the process over.

This highly detailed pull is cast in solid bronze with a dark antique finish and will add a distinctive touch to any cabinet, closet door or desk drawer in your home or office.  In the photo below you can see how beautiful it looks on the toy chest, a special gift to a first grandson,  that also features japanned swallows in the sky.  So head on over to our facebook page and join the conversation.

You can check out other feathered friends as well as our entire collection of custom hardware at www.martinpierce.com.

Geometrics in design--a math lesson you will enjoy

Do you break out in a cold sweat at the mere mention of mathematics?  Does the term "geometry" send you running?  Well, no worries  here.  For the purpose of discussion on this blog, let's take a look at how geometry and geometrics are used in the realm of interior design and architecture. A quick review

The true list of geometric shapes appears endless so, for our purpose, we will review the most common shapes used in design:

• Triangle
• Hexagon
• Polygon
• Square
• Octagon
• Rectangle
• Pentagon
• Straight line
• Oval, circle and ellipse

Even to those of us who barely got through math class, these shapes are familiar.  Just take a look at your surroundings and you will begin to see the use of one or a combination of geometric shapes that make up the design of buildings and furniture as well as its appearance on fabric patterns and accessories.  Now here is a math test you can pass--How many geometric shapes can you spot in this photo of both old and new architecture?

Even fluid and organic items such as the architectural hardware designed by Martin Pierce feature many geometric shapes that include a circle, an oval, certainly a straight line, and even a triangle.  Look closely at the design of our Hedgerow line and you will see evidence of these.

In other pieces, straight lines are softened and morph into the waves and curves of our popular Ergo collection for example, and circles are elongated to form our conical pulls.

To view more items in all of these collections or to see our entire selection of custom hardware, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com.  We promise there will be no math test!

Beds are trending at Martin Pierce--Part II

Here at Martin Pierce we believe that a beautifully decorated bedroom that provides a good night's rest should not be considered a luxury.  The most important piece in the bedroom is, of course, the bed and, as we mentioned in our recent post on what is trending at Martin Pierce Custom Hardware, orders for our custom bed designs are up.  In our previous post we shared our beautiful and exotic Rickshaw bed that offers a zen like quality to the bedroom in a sophisticated residence or boutique hotel. The look of our Hedgerow bed is quite different but also experiencing current popularity. This impressive bed is crafted from American grown walnut, a wood with a beautiful grain and color.  The bespoke features include a hand-carved footboard and headboard while a hand-chiseled "chip" carving detail on the posts provides additional texture to the overall organic style of this bed.

Two of these magnificent beds are finding new homes in the McNamara & Hirschman showroom located in the Arizona Design Center.  Since opening their doors in 1989, the name Mcnamara & Hirschman has become synonymous with quality and style and is the go-to spot for designers with a discriminating clientele.

If you would like further information on our custom furniture products or custom hardware, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com

Look what's trending at Martin Pierce....

While we are well-known for our beautiful custom architectural hardware that is so popular with designers, architects and homeowners alike, we also enjoy it when a designer sources one of our custom furniture pieces for their discriminating residential clients or hospitality projects.  Our furniture collection includes unique and functional items such as dining tables, chairs, armoires, buffets and beds.  Speaking of beds, based on the orders we are receiving, they appear to be a very popular item these days.   And why not?  The bed is the focal point of the bedroom and will set the mood for the entire room.    Trending today: The Rickshaw Bed

If you are looking to add an exotic and sophisticated feel to a bedroom with a touch of Asian influence, our Rickshaw bed is just the thing.  Crafted of solid walnut with hand-carved details, we allow the natural shades and grain of the wood to shine through with just an oil and lacquer finish; no stain is used.  A light and airy feel is achieved through the use of reed in the headboard and footboard.  This reed is literally woven by hand through small holes drilled in 1/2 inch intervals--very labor intensive but the final effect is stunning!

The Rickshaw bed is available in standard queen, eastern and western king and, of course, custom sizes when necessary.  You can view this bed at the lovely Gaul & Searson Showroom located in the San Francisco Design Center.  Doug Searson and Joseph Gaul have created a classic high-end showroom that caters to the design professional with a discriminating clientele.  Several Martin Pierce furniture pieces are on display in the showroom.

You CAN stop and smell the roses and work at the same time

Can you believe that the summer months are passing by so quickly?  Before you know it media advertisements and retail store shelves will be full of items for the upcoming holidays and your mind will wander to Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Christmas!  Therefore, I might suggest we all take a moment and reconnect with our natural surroundings that can provide so much design inspiration.

• Stop and smell the roses, orchids, magnolias and daisies---and while you are at it take notice of the details of that flower such as the shape of the petals, the amazing color combinations and, of course, the amazing scent.  I am pretty confident you will walk away with your creative juices flowing!
• Let Mother Nature be your guide.  You may be working on a seaside spa, for example, and trying to avoid the very expected colors and textures most often used in the design of these spaces but are "stuck".  A walk on the ocean with eyes wide open may reveal colors and textures you did not expect or the mix of colors in the sunset may inspire a color scheme you have been struggling to identify.
• Vary your routine and you just might find inspiration in items you see every day.  I live in a town full of hills and canyons and walking trails, some with spectacular views.  If I walk every day at the same time, for example, I get used to the "sameness" and am very likely to miss many of the details found in that spectacular view or even in the shape of what we might call "weeds" but are, in fact, miniature works of art from Mother Nature.  An earlier or later walk will produce different shadows and colors and feel new.   Martin Pierce is often inspired by nature and that can be seen in many of our architectural hardware collections including Flora, Hedgerow and Grapevine.  If your routine takes you through the concrete jungle there are still plenty of opportunities to be inspired by the architecture, the hearty flower that pops up between cracks in the sidewalk or the amazing color combinations put together by people on the street.
• Relax.  Many people do their best thinking when they are relaxing by the pool or enjoying their own backyard.  The world will not end if you take time to simply "be" and let the creative juices flow.   How often have you awakened during the night with the best idea ever for that new project and cannot recall the details when you wake in the morning?   How wonderful to come up with those same ideas during a relaxing respite in the middle of the day so you can remember them!

There are still several weeks left of summer, allowing plenty of time to slow down just a bit and enjoy this special time of year while working!  No one ever has to know that your design inspiration came while napping in hammock or strolling along the beach!

Happy 4th of July from Martin Pierce Hardware

The 4th of July is an interesting American holiday that is bound by countless traditions that include parades, fireworks, family picnics and of course, as many hot dogs as one can eat.  I must admit that I have bowed to the pressure of friends and neighbors and will be hosting this year's neighborhood BBQ complete with hamburgers (even though I will be offering some sauteed mushrooms and stilton cheese for those with a more sophisticated palate) but I do draw the line at hotdogs!

Like most countries, American citizens are very proud of their flag and proudly fly it daily, but especially on the 4th of July.  You probably think you know all there is to know about the flag but here are a few facts that may just surprise you:

• Betsy Ross may not have been the original designer of the American flag as you Americans were taught in grade school.  Say it ain't so!  According to records from the first Congressional Congress, a gentleman named Francis Hopkinson was the original designer.
• Five of the six flags planted on the moon during Apollo expeditions are still standing!
• Americans regulate everything so, of course there are federal regulations (the US Flag Code) governing the use of the flag for advertising, for example.
• The official colors of the flag are white, old glory red and old glory blue and have their own HTML code and Pantone equivalent.
• Speaking of Old Glory, the name was simply a nickname a ship captain gave to a flag he had been gifted with and the name stuck ever since as a nickname for the flag.
• A little TV trivia-- in the pilot episode of "Gilligan's Island" a flag being flown at half-staff can be seen in the background.  The reason it is being flown half-staff is because the show was being filmed on November 22, 1963, the day President Kennedy was assassinated.

Thank you to the National Journal for this information and Happy 4th of July!

New hotels popping up around the world

Vacation time is just around the corner and whether you are visiting a beautiful spot like Lake Shasta seen above or somewhere more exotic,  it seems that some of the world's largest hotels have not received the news that the world's economy is in a slump.  Luxury and boutique hotels are opening up around the world, providing opportunities for large and small design firms and their suppliers to create beautiful homes away from home for travelers.  Here is just a sampling of recent growth (Boutique Design) :

• Capella Hotels & Resorts chose Georgetown, a chic suburb of Washington D.C., as the location for its first U.S. based hotel.  The ultra-exclusive hotel is, according to Capella, "more like arriving home than checking in to a hotel..".   High end materials include custom millwork, reclaimed hardwood floors and cove lighting all complimenting silk window treatments and bespoke artwork and furnishings.
• Never one to be outdone, Trump Hotel Collection is set to open a property in the sophisticated west coast city of Vancouver, British Columbia that will include a hotel and residence tower.  The project is scheduled to be completed in 2016.
• The Ritz-Carlton Co. will be stepping into the ultimate in island getaways with their new Bali location that will feature over 200 rooms as well as a world class spa and sports facility.

Other recognizable names include new properties from Hyatt, Fairfield and Crowne Plaza.  There is certainly something for every taste and budget arriving on the boutique hotel scene.

To view our collection of custom hardware for your next project please visit us at www.martinpierce.com.

Custom or off the rack?

While we all enjoy a good bargain is it always the best idea?  Are you really getting more bang for your buck when you purchase an item that looks a lot like a more expensive item but is much cheaper? While we understand that custom hardware is expensive, there are many reasons to consider a custom item:

• A well-made item will, in most cases, operate much better than its less expensive cousin.  Is it worth saving some money only to have to tuggle with a door knob or locking mechanism time after time?
• Function is of utmost importance but appearance ranks a close second.  Interesting or unique hardware says something about you--it says you understand the value of small details in your home.  Designers understand this and often choose custom architectural hardware for their projects.
• Many people enjoy owning something that is unique to their home whether it be a piece of artwork, bespoke furniture item or custom hardware designed with their personality, hobbies, interests in mind.
• Add personality to your space or create an unforgettable first impression with custom entry door hardware.  A beautiful set crafted of oil rubbed bronze is nice but how much more impressive would an item from our custom Willow collection be?

You decide----

This standard polished chrome interior door knob off the rack:

Or our high polished, hand cast, stainless steel knob from our Textured collection?

What set says more about you and your personality?  This lovely and certainly sufficient oil rubbed entry set?

Or this amazingly detailed entryway set from our Grapevine collection?

This off the rack cabinet hardware that certainly has an interesting texture and design

Or one of our hand-made daisy, bee or gecko pulls?

To view all of these items and our entire collection of custom hardware, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com.

Summertime and the livin' is easy.....

What is your favorite summertime song?  Perhaps a rockin' Beach Boys tune or something sultry like "Under the Boardwalk"?  Whatever is it, I am sure that when you hear it you are immediately transported to a place that is warm, relaxing and stress-free, and isn't that what summer is all about? The calendar tells us that summer has arrived when the summer solstice occurs.  According to Wikipedia, this is when the earth's axis tilts so that the northern hemisphere is closest to the sun, resulting in the longest day of the year.   For the next several months the days will get shorter but, until then, we can all revel in the wonders of summertime livin'!

No real summer plans here but many people think it is always summertime in Los Angeles.  We do have seasons in California,  they are just not as pronounced as they are in other areas of the country.  But summer is always special.  Longer days to enjoy the beautiful beaches and those amazing sunsets that occur late into the evening.  A chance to experiment with a new summer cocktail, entertain outdoors and close shop early when it is just too beautiful to be indoors.

Fortunately, one of the summer items southern California does not have to suffer through are bugs.  But that did not stop Martin Pierce from creating wonderful and whimsical hardware designed after those pesky critters.  How cute would one of these be on your outdoor cabinetry or indoors at your beach or lakeside retreat?  For those of you working on commercial projects, consider adding this detail to an indoor spa or as guest room hardware in an appropriate location.

While not a bug, frogs are certainly a summertime resident and these frog pulls are so fun!

To view our entire collection of bug inspired bespoke hardware, visit us at www.martinpierce.com

New trends for the commercial design industry from NEOCON

There is certainly no shortage of conferences, conventions and other informative gatherings available to those in the interior design industry.  Some are general and others are very specific and made for those involved in specialized areas of design.  NEOCON is perhaps the premiere industry event designed for professionals who specialize in contract design for hospitality, government, retail and healthcare clients.

A NEOCON event provides an opportunity for designers to view the latest products and resources available including fabrics, wall coverings, hardware, furniture, appliances, lighting and fixtures.  At this year's event there were several stand out trends that we can expect to see in the upcoming year:

• While ultra bright colors were everywhere, one color stood out as color of the year and that was an eye-popping shade of fuchsia.  This mix of red and purple is a high energy color that would be appropriate for many creative venues.
• The very acoustically sound material, felt, is emerging as a popular upholstery and wall cover choice in the expected soft gray, but is also available in other colors as well; making it possible to use this unique fabric in many different applications.
• Can you spell Eames?  Molded plastic is back in vogue.  Conversely, there were many designs that included high backed upholstered sofas and chairs in the office environment.  Perhaps this is a response to the need for more private spaces in open concept areas or simply a design trend.  If it can help reduce the amount of private cell phone conversation overheard then I am all for it!
• Architectural hardware trends are combining the desire for a sleek and minimalist look with warm finishes like bronze and brass as well as celebrating the outdoors with nature inspired fixtures.  We meet both of those needs with our Flora and Animal collections as well as our newest Morphic collection cast in bronze as well as stainless steel.

It is always interesting to follow these trends and see which ones take off, so to speak, and which ones die on the vine.  To view the entire collection of Martin Pierce Custom Hardware visit us at www.martinpierce.com

Bring the garden indoors with floral hardware

I love fresh flowers whether they be in a vase on the table, growing wild in a field or popping up in strange cracks and crevices alongside the Los Angeles freeways.  After all, what is not to enjoy about glorious color and unique shapes that come to life once the sun comes out?  Most people would say they also enjoy the colors, scents and shapes of fresh flowers so why not greet your guests with a bouquet of flowers in your lobby or treat yourself and your family to fresh flowers in your home.   Sadly, when winter hits it can be difficult to find fresh flowers growing naturally in a garden or alongside those ubiquitous freeways  of ours.  No worries, you can enjoy the beauty of flowers with something as simple as hardware cast in the shape of your favorite flowers and vines.  Take a look:

Relive those wonderful island memories or just invite the feel of the tropics into your home or business with our wonderfully realistic orchid stem pull.

Capture the look of the wonderful hanging vines of the trumpet flower with this bronze pull hand cast by Martin Pierce.

Daisies are a perennial favorite.  They are simple and carefree and make you smile each time you look at them.  You can enjoy this little flower every day with our bronze daisy drawer pull.

And for those who enjoy simple greenery from Mother Nature, items like our bamboo pull or various leaf designs will certainly satisfy that need to add a touch of the outside to your indoor spaces.

While all of these hardware pieces have a touch of whimsy attached, the realism and attention to detail is a hallmark of every piece of custom hardware created by Martin Pierce; thereby turning these floral hardware items into a sophisticated detail for your retail boutique, small hotel or spa or for that discerning residential client looking for a touch of the garden in her home.

To view these pieces along with our entire collection of bespoke hardware, please visit us at www.martinpierce.com.

Design for aging: new trends and ideas for our aging population

It's no secret that people are living longer;  just watch the Today Show and take note of the number of over 100 year old birthday greetings Willard Scott shares, and he is no spring chicken!  And while we are living longer, we are also living healthier which means that designing private homes, independent and assisted living facilities and public buildings for the aging is also experiencing change. The stereotypical vision of the elderly as confused and weak people is a generalization that simply is not true.  Today's seniors are active and aware and up-t0-date on current affairs, trends and technology.  Did you know that, according to the American College of Surgeons survey in 2010, 1/3 of all surgeons were over the age of 55?  (with age comes wisdom, something I certainly want my surgeon to possess!) But we, as designers and architects,  cannot ignore the physical and mental changes that take place as we age.  Changes that include:

• short term memory loss or worse (Alzheimer's and dementia)
• diminished mobility
• vision and hearing issues
• diseases that include arthritis or glaucoma, for example, that affect daily lives

Families can, and must, address emotional needs that include companionship, a sense of purpose and developing new interests.  But designers and architects are tasked with addressing security and safety in regards to the above issues and help reduce the day to day stress many seniors experience in their homes.  Technological advances have made it easier to deal with some of these issues.  Simple things like larger buttons on phones, home security systems and keyboards, medical alert bracelets and  single button emergency devices, along with structural items like wider doorways to accommodate walkers and/or wheelchairs and easy to grasp hardware are just a few of the ways that designers can make it easier for seniors to "age in place", the desire of most elderly people.  Other solutions include grab bars in long hallways and baths, no threshold showers and doorways; lower cabinet heights with edges designed to prevent items from dropping to the floor and motion activated lights, window treatments etc.

And we cannot overlook the importance of appropriate color schemes that address anxiety and confusion or including personal mementos and familiar items in the decoration of interior spaces.  As the "boomers" continue to age it will become even more important to keep abreast of both the emotional and physical needs of seniors when it comes time to design hospitals, community centers and medical buildings along with the decoration of interior spaces.